There are currently 47 rails w/ trails across the U.S. with more than 70 in the works.

Liability Concerns:

• Rail-to-Trail Conservancy (RTC) study showed that rails w/ trails are no more dangerous than trails alone.
  
• 36 of 37 rails with trails report no train/trail user accidents.
  
• The one accident was a cyclist who ignored the crossing gate and flashing lights and crossed the rail line anyway, and was injured.
  
• In most cases, once a railroad is assured that safety precautions are met and that the trail is insured, become favorable or at least indifferent to the trail.

Design Considerations:

• The most popular barriers between the rail line and path are vegetation, grade separation, and a chain link fence.
  
• Intersections will make or break the project. All planners should treat the greenway as a street, providing signal lights at major intersections. These lights should be triggered by bicycle sensors embedded in the pavement whenever possible.
  
• All efforts should be made to ensure separation between pedestrians and faster users of the trail (bicyclists, inline skaters, skateboarders).
  
• The minimum width of an existing rail w/ trail is 18 feet (the Duwamish trail in Washington) Note that this is the distance between the centerline of the rails and the outside edge of the path.
  
• Bridges and trestles are key.
  
• Integration with on-street ped/bike facilities and other bikeways is also key.

Benefits of a greenway:

• Provide a beautiful, tree-lined path (which is rare for a transportation facility)
  
• Will eliminate physical barriers (coastal hills, inadequate bike lanes)
  
• If designed properly, will lend itself to fast and efficient bicycle transportation due to graded route
  
• Will create a safe place for all citizens, including children and the elderly
  
• Connects outdoor areas such as the coast, Forest of Nisene Marks, New Brighton, Natural Bridges, etc
  
• Will connect to West Cliff pathway, the Boardwalk, River levees (beginning of a bikeway network) as well as connecting w/ new transit center, and possible future passenger rail service.
  
• Will be used to access many destinations (schools, workplaces, shopping, downtown, etc.)
  
• Will reduce auto congestion, air pollution, CO2 emissions
  
• Will provide an economic benefit to businesses along the R-O-W as well as the community as a whole by increasing tourism and spending within the county.
  
• Will increase property values (Real Estate agents use trails as selling point.)
  
• Will improve community health
  
• Will deter crime by increasing public presence

Role that Rails-to-Trails can play in supporting any advocacy group that forms:

• Technical support
  
• Dealing w/ opposition
  
• Liability issues
  
• Facilitation of R-O-W purchase
  
• Speaking at important meetings
  
• Developing presentation materials (brochures)

Advocacy Group should:

• Name the trail! (something appealing and inclusive)
  
• Defuse opposition
  
• Solicit community involvement
  
• Gain the support of
  
• Politicians
  
• Bike groups
  
• Schools and PTA's
  
• Disabled community
  
• Pedestrian groups
  
• Environmental groups
  
• Business community
  
• Neighborhood Associations
  
• Property owners living adjacent to rail line
  

Some ideas for sparking interest:

• Get EV Global Motors and Green Mountain Energy to partner up and sponsor E-bike charging stations along the bikeway
  
• Develop proposal to encourage local businesses to sponsor parts of the trail (benches, drinking fountains, or even parts of the trail itself.)
  
• Build a bikestation at the boardwalk so that tourists who drive over the hill can rent bikes when they arrive, and locals can have free secure bike parking when they visit the Boardwalk.
  
• Harness the enormous power of the artistic community in Santa Cruz county and commission public art by the trail. Public art allows the community to "own" the trail and also creates landmarks.
  
• Coordinate with the Coastal Conservancy or Sanctuary Scenic Trail Inter-Agency Task Force to create interpretive exhibits along the trail discussing history of the area and natural features.
  
• ???(put your idea here)???